Panthers edge Grants Pass in OT

Wednesday

Sep 18, 2013 at 12:01 AM

GRANTS PASS — South Medford head coach Chris Hollewijn had hoped that the Panthers learned the value of finishing strong Friday at Lincoln, but he couldn't be sure the lessons from that 3-2 heartbreaker had sunk in until they were tested on the pitch.

GRANTS PASS — South Medford head coach Chris Hollewijn had hoped that the Panthers learned the value of finishing strong Friday at Lincoln, but he couldn't be sure the lessons from that 3-2 heartbreaker had sunk in until they were tested on the pitch.

On Tuesday, the Panthers were tested and passed with a gritty 4-3 overtime victory over Grants Pass in the Southern Oregon Hybrid opener for both teams.

Montana Logue scored the equalizer from 25 yards out with 13 minutes left in regulation, and Desiree Lakin headed in Brittany Jensen's corner kick with two minutes to go in the extra session as South Medford recovered after blowing a 2-0 lead.

"We lost to Lincoln in the last four minutes and that was crushing for us," Hollewijn said, "so one thing that we talked about at halftime was that it's about trying to, as much as possible, learn from those experiences. That's about as vividly as you can draw it up."

Up 2-0 only 20 minutes in after goals by Logue and Franny Gomez, the Panthers (5-2) let their guard drop long enough for the Cavers (0-2-1) to quickly get back in the game. Grants Pass' Brooke Blacksmith looped in a 24-yard shot in the 30th minute, and Maci Jokumsen ripped home close-range shot seven minutes later.

The Cavers then broke the tie midway through the second half on a penalty kick by Shelby DeRocher, setting the stage for South Medford's heroics.

Logue seized the momentum back for the Panthers seven minutes later when she received a pass from Jensen and lofted a perfect shot just inside the far post.

Nobody scored again through the last 13 minutes of regulation or the first 10-minute overtime session. Then, eight minutes into the second 10-minute OT session, Jensen hit the streaking Lakin in the box.

"(Lakin) found a little space, accelerated and just crushed this header," Hollewijn said. "It was emphatic. When you rehearse corner-kick plays, this is exactly how you draw it up."

The loss was a hard one to swallow for Grants Pass, which has given up 13 goals in three games.

"(The Panthers) weathered a good storm," Grants Pass coach Hector Cruz said. "Medford has a way of winning, they really do. That's the biggest difference. They just have that will to win."

ROSEBURG 8, CRATER 0 — At Roseburg, Rachel Harland scored the first and last goals, and Emily Roy added two scores for Roseburg in the Southern Oregon Hybrid opener.

Skaff's goals were in the first half, in the 25th minute on a penalty kick and at the tail end of the period. Skaff's second goal — off a nice cross by Atya Van Ness — gave the Pirates their first lead, 2-1. Listro's goals came in the 44th and 57th minutes.

For Illinois Valley (2-2), Amanda Brooks scored in the 15th minute on an assist by Gabby Cruz, then Brooks' corner-kick assist set up Kenndra Ferry in the 46th minute.

ST. MARY'S 3, KLAMATH UNION 0 — Emily Elmore scored two goals in the final seven minutes as St. Mary's pulled away in the nonconference home match.

In the 73rd minute, Elmore bent a right-to-left shot around the keeper following an assist from Abby Coughlin. Five minutes later, Elmore ran in on a ball served in by Allie Buccino and deposited it with a leaping kick.

Lilli Knudsen tallied the first goal for the Crusaders (2-1-2), one-timing a ball dropped back to her by Emily Alvarez.

CASCADE CHRISTIAN 2, NORTH VALLEY 0 — Cascade Christian ran its record to 3-1-1 with the nonconference win at U.S. Cellular Park.

Katelyn Fitch put the Challengers on the board with a nice shot over the keeper in the 33rd minute.

In the 67th minute, Alex Torano took a through ball to the goal and scored on a left-footed shot.

Boys

SOUTH MEDFORD 2, GRANTS PASS 0 — Rene Cabrera scored in the 15th minute, then host South Medford's defense took over in the Southern Oregon Hybrid opener.

Cabrera took a quick outlet pass from Colt Sauers for the first score. The back line of Josue Reyes, Angel Montelongo, Adrian Calvillo and Travis Mobley made it stand up.

The Panthers (2-1-1) got an insurance score in the 75th from Uriel Cordoba, who was assisted by Jeff Turner.

The Comets (0-3) had to play much of the second half with 10 players due to injuries.

HIDDEN VALLEY 2, EAGLE POINT 0 — At Eagle Point, Hidden Valley goalkeeper Alex Thornhill came up big and the Mustangs (3-0-1) received goals from Abraham Martinez and Seth Trader to hand Eagle Point its first loss.

Martinez scored from about 10 yards out in the 34th minute off an assist from Zach Perrin. Trader added the final goal in the 60th minute off a pass from Mik'l Andreasen.

Trinidad Florez connected for three goals, Brandon Rogers had a pair of scores and Tjark Anders added one goal.

ST. MARY'S 3, KLAMATH UNION 3 — At Klamath Falls, Tracy Salgado scored two goals and the St. Mary's defense was solid but Klamath Union scored on a penalty kick in the first half and a direct kick with four minutes to go to eke out a nonleague tie.

Michael Gambee also scored for the Crusaders (1-1-2), who received outstanding defense from Nathan Hoyt and William Lee.